The Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, Ogun State, formerly the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, has grown from fewer than 10,000 students to more than 27,000 under the administration of its Rector and Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr Mukail Akinde.

Akinde also said the institution had increased its academic programmes from 34 to more than 100 within four years of assuming office on September 27, 2022.

The development formed part of the institution’s transformation as it prepares to complete its transition from a polytechnic to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, according to a statement issued on Monday by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Sola Abiala.

Akinde said the transition from the former Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro, was progressing, although the process was being handled strategically.

He disclosed that committees headed by Professor Ramon Bello, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, and Dr Charlotte Bose Iro-Idoro had made steady progress on the respective aspects of the transition.

“Our people should know that the work of changing FPI to FUTI is progressing. Only that thing must be done strategically,” he reiterated. God willing, we are targeting the 2027/28 academic session as a start-off year.

“With the institution preparing for National Universities Commission (NUC) verification, we are also working on an Academic Brief, after which a new institutional Master Plan is expected to be finalised”, he stated.

Akinde said the institution, which previously had six schools, now had eight specialised schools, following the establishment of the School of Agriculture and the School of Art, Design and Printing Technology.

Speaking on some of the breakthroughs recorded by the university, Akinde said the institution had patented a 3-in-1 electric tricycle incorporating solar and CNG technology; an IoT-integrated solar egg incubator and hatcher with dynamic environmental control.

Others were an integrated mixer and extruder for mechanised kokoro production; a motorised digester for palm oil extraction; a compact plastic bottle shredder; and a customised biometric system for student and staff attendance and access control.

He explained that the institution had started several new departments to drive industrial growth in the country.

“Some of these Departments and Divisions include Arts and Printing (Sculpture, Textile, Painting, Ceramics, etc.), Printing Technology, Metallurgical, Automotive, Auto-body, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Cement Technology, Welding and Fabrication, Renewable Energy, Agric Technology, Animal Health, Horticulture, Crops and Agric Extension, among others. From about 34 programmes, we now have 100,” he said.

The Welding and Fabrication and Cement Technology programmes, according to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, were specifically designed to provide specialised manpower for Dangote Cement Plc at Ibese and other cement companies, as well as Dangote refineries, for industrial development in the country.

The expansion has also been accompanied by an increase in student enrolment, academic and non-academic staff strength, the number of PhD holders, infrastructure, research activities and funding through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

Speaking on his fourth anniversary in office, Akinde said the achievements were the product of collective efforts by the governing council, principal officers, management, staff, students and unions.

He said, “We haven’t done anything, other than that we have to do more collectively with the Council, Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, Heads of Units, Staff, Students and the Unions.”

He said the institution was also automating students’ records and results dating back to 1979, with a target of producing transcripts within 24 hours and completing registration online without physical files and paper-based processes.

He stated that the Directorate of Printing, according to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, now produced about 30 per cent of examination booklets and all students’ files.

Akinde said government and TETFund interventions had contributed significantly to the institution’s development through high-impact and special interventions, agricultural farm grants, the Senate Building, innovation hubs and capital projects, adding that capital expenditure had increased from about N400m in 2022 to billions of naira.

He also said Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola facilitated the institution’s connection to the Papalanto feeder, while TETFund interventions were supporting the installation of 126 transformers across markets, banks and other commercial areas on the campus.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor added that his administration had also facilitated 43 projects through internally generated revenue and constructed a Squadron Mobile Police base to strengthen security for students and staff within and around the institution.

According to Akinde, the increase in student enrolment had also generated economic benefits for the host community, with transport operators, food vendors and traders benefiting from the larger population.

He attributed the cordial relationship between the institution and the host community to the cooperation of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, whose immense support for the institution was described as legendary.

Akinde said he began his career at the institution in 1987 as a clerk in the Bursary Department and later worked in several administrative positions before becoming an instructor in 1999. He had also studied at the institution, obtaining a National Diploma in Accountancy in 1991 and a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy in 1994.

The Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Iro-Idoro, said the university would commence with nine faculties covering Engineering Technology, Sciences, Environmental Technology, Communication and Information, Administrative and Management Sciences, Social Sciences, Computing, Agricultural Technology and Visual Arts, as well as a Centre for General Studies.

The Registrar, Mrs Aderonke Babatola, said the growth in student enrolment and academic programmes had increased the demand for manpower.

Babatola said the institution currently had at least 80 PhD holders and had recruited 371 new members of staff in two batches of 146 and 225, adding that the institution was seeking waivers to enable it to recruit more professors.